3. US Secretary of State John Kerry vows that the US will hold accountable those who murdered its citizens, a reference to the apparent beheading of Steven Sotloff, the second American killed by Islamic State militants (I.S.).

4. South Africa refuses visa to Dalai Lama to attend the World Summit of Nobel Peace laureates for fear of estranging China.

18. U.s. House of Representatives approves President Obama's plan to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels fighting against IS.

19. Britain survives the biggest challenge to its existence as 55 of Scots vote to stay with Great Britain in a referendum.

20. Pakistan opposition leader and Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto asserts that Pakistan "will take back Kashmir, every inch of it; External Affairs Ministry spokesman retorts that "the integrity and unity of India is non-negotiable".

21. Ashraf Ghani declared Afghanistan's next President following a power sharing deal. Abdullah Abdullah rival

presidential candidate to nominate Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

23. The largest gathering of world leaders on Climate change opens at UN, a summit of 120 leaders hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon.

29. Hong Kong democracy protesters mass in the centre of the global financial hub for a fourth night in the biggest challenge for China since Tiananmen Square crack down 25 years ago.

30. Afghanistan and the United States sign a security pact to allow US forces to remain in the country past the end of the year.